2 Responses

We have a system that is so dead set on accountability that we have lost sight of the purpose of education- to be transcending and transforming. Our children are learning to be compliant, test-taking soldiers. What happened to instilling a sense of curiosity, and an insatiable appetite for creativity and innovation? Learning is supposed to about the application of knowledge, and not simply the regurgitation of content on bubble sheets.

When I was an adjunct professor in college, I tried an all multiple choice and ture/false test; like you would have to have for these standardized fill in the bubble tests. My students always groaned about my essay questions and begged for this, so I complied.

They bombed so badly, as I thought they would. Essays are a better way to express your thoughts and to gain partial credit.

With multiple choice and true false there is only one answer and no partial credit. Silly college kids!:)